Sex differences in the sensitivity of CBA mice to convulsions induced by GABA antagonists are age-dependent

Abstract

The administration of the GABA-blocking agents picrotoxin and bicuculline to adult (2.5-3 months old) CBA/HZgr mice resulted in the appearance of convulsions, the occurrence and/or lethality of which was greater in males than in females. The latency of picrotoxin-induced convulsions was also shorter in male mice. Strychnine, a drug which induces convulsions by blocking glycine receptors was equally effective in producing convulsions in both male and female adult mice. Unlike adult mice, young (20 days old) or old (2 years old) mice fail to display sex differences following the picrotoxin administration. Accordingly, the observed sex differences in the sensitivity of CBA mice to administration of convulsive agents are specific for the GABA system and present only in sexually mature, but not in immature or old animals.